“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15
What is the house of God? Though Scripture deals with the structure of the Tabernacle and Temple in the Old Testament, there is an amplified, worldwide and universal meaning, that is declared forcefully in the New. That which we see in the New Testament does not detract in the least from what we see in the Old Testament, as it is the spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament meaning. However, there is no doubt that the Lord takes us to greater heights in order to see, and to grasp, the marvelous and magnificent truths associated with the “house of God,” which Paul declares to be “…the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” What a statement of meaning and purpose, but also of content! This “house of God,” a spiritual temple, the very body of Christ, the church, is the dwelling place of God by the Spirit. Here is revealed in this, our present age, before the rapture and the coming of the Lord, the truth of God, not only in its objectivity, but by the power of God, the unveiling of Christ’s life. What then distinguishes this “house of God” from all other structures and concepts of earth?
First of all, this house, though revealed in the beginning as a physical structure, is ultimately revealed to us as a spiritual structure, a primary place of worship, a place of prayer and communion with God. THIS is the first and great purpose of God’s house, that the believer should “…behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4) This place of certain good and blessing is the place, in mind and heart where an individual can come to God, and find Him. It is a “place,” spiritually speaking, that is not in a specific locality, but certainly everywhere where the believer finds himself in the will of God. All is provided in that aloneness with God, in the place of His choosing, so that the soul can rise to know the blessed fellowship with God, which is provided in abundance for every believer. When Jesus died on Calvary, and His perfect work was finished, the veil of the temple was torn in two. Access to the Father was given at that moment to the redeemed sinner, by the precious blood of Christ, strengthened by the Spirit, in the name of the Lord Jesus, so that he might know true, and profound, even eternal fellowship with God the Father. It was a communion which Christ knew, only His communion was so much more vaste, endless, and magnificent, as His capacity to commune with the Father was infinite. The house of God is first distinguished by its divine nature, creation, provision, and promise. It IS the place of worship wherever one worships in Spirit and truth.
The house of God, the church is also distinguised by the very power of the Holy Life within it. It is the Christ, by His Holy Spirit. In this body of Christ, where worship is primary, and the building up of the body is so essential, there is to be, regardless of age or calling, a mutual, and individual, walking by, and in accordance with the Spirit of God. Just as Christ can fill the church with the unveiling of His blessed life through its members, so the Spirit of God can be grieved and quenched, thus hindering the purposes of God. In the church which is vibrant by virtue of every member being filled with the Spirit, and in communion with God, there will be the witness, the light to the world of the truth and reality of God. The living God dwells in the midst, in order to reveal to all concerned in the church, and outside, that He is the true God, worthy to be feared and adored.
Dear Father, Overwhelm us with Thy presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.